If you are or have ever been a SQL developer, it’s very likely you’ve been asked to return the rows from two joined tables, including all the rows from both tables that do not have a corresponding row in the other table. Oracle 9i introduced the FULL OUTER JOIN syntax to better address this scenario. Now it looks as if 11g has introduced a new algorithm to handle that. So how can you get a look at this? Find out here.

I was very pleased when I heard about Oracle adding pivot functionality in select statements. Finally — we wouldn’t have to copy the data to a spreadsheet or code a ton of sum(case when col1 = ‘X’ then amount else 0 end) total_X for each column we would want to display. I am basically looking for three things in a pivot-style query: the ability to specify which column will be pivoted as one or more columns in the resulting query, row subtotals, and column subtotals. The first item is the only one that really matters. I can work around the other two, so let’s get started.

Frank Wiles has published the 65th edition of Log Buffer the weekly review of database blogs, on the Revolution Systems Blog. For the record Frank published it right on time on Friday – it’s just us that’s late. Sorry about that.

I’ve been considering starting a blog of my own for quite some time, but I must admit to some hesitancy, primarily due to the quality of technical content already posted online. Finally, I’ve decided to take the plunge, and to focus on the quality I truly bring to my own customers. Yes, I possess a…

It seems Oracle 11g introduces a difference between count(*) and count(1). The way this happens is just the opposite of what I was thinking would happen. NB: I ran my test using “11.1.0.6 32bits” on Ubuntu Linux 7.04 (Feisty) which is not officially supported1, and which has already lead me to some unexpected behaviors. If this difference with count() is really the 11g way and not buggy behavior related to the Ubuntu install, I’m glad to have found it. Here’s what you can do to observe (or confirm or dispute) this.

First on the schedule of the second evening (28th of September) was the Gala Diner. Mr. Nogood opened it and marked Oracle ACEs, OCP/Ms and Oak Table Network members with special distinction — a blue silk sash. Sadly, I can’t find mine in my travel bag; I think perhaps the Water-Park has it now.

In this post I’m going to concentrate on the second and last day of MOW. However, a few other events require dedicated coverage that I will need to do later. The start of the second day was conveniently moved to 9:30 instead of original 9:00. I feel that the organizers really did care very much about the attendees. The Water-Park party was total success and some enthusiasts as usual ended up at the Party House. I plan to cover the Water-Park separately at some point. Now let’s turn to the “useless stuff”.